Sydney Swans ban 5 players for rest of AFL season over hotel misconduct and a police investigation
SYDNEY (AP) — Five Australian rules footballers have been banned for the remainder of the AFL season…
Sydney Swans have banned five Australian rules footballers for the remainder of the 2026 AFL season following a series of breaches of player codes of conduct during a stay at a Melbourne hotel, which has sparked a police investigation into allegations of sexual assault. The suspended players include Riley Bice, Nick Blakey, Isaac Heeney, James Jordon, and Chad Warner.
The Swans announced on Wednesday that the sanctions are independent of the Victoria state police investigation, as no charges have been laid. The club emphasized that their decision was based on a series of postgame code of conduct breaches, which included staying out late, drinking, and bringing women back to the hotel. The Swans' chief executive, Matthew Pavlich, stated that the players' behavior was far below the standards expected of them. The Australian Football League (AFL) has also expressed support for the club's sanctions.
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